Current game as the Netherlands in 1746. France is a behemoth, has crushed Spain and taken half of it. It has 150k soldiers in good times and 200k manpower which dwarfs my own 100k for both given their huge morale boosts.

Long story short, I decide to risk a war to weaken them while they are 7k in debt and have 0 manpower. They've just shrunk their army to 50k (to deal with debt I assume). Two months later, they're back at full manpower while mine has shrunk to 50% from battles with even casualties.

Am I missing a hidden mechanic or the AI just cheating big time? Trying to wrap my head around this because its shot my chances to ♥♥♥♥ at winning an extended war against them.